Exploit London Underground zones to save money
The London Underground network is divided into 6 main zones, with the most central zone being Zone 1. Prices on the underground differ depending on the zone in which you are travelling. For example – travelling within the same zone will always be cheaper than travelling from zone 1 to zone 4, for obvious reasons.
It is worth therefore looking at a map of where you are going, alongside the Tube Map Zones. Money can be saved by getting off a stop or even two before the one you want, if it is in a lower zone. In many cases, there is not too much distance between tube stops, and, you can save 50p or more by enjoying a short walk.
For example, Euston station is in Zone 1 and Mornington Crescent is in Zone 2. The distance between the two stations is less than half a mile, taking on average about 10 minutes to walk. Alighting the tube at Euston would mean you would not be paying the Zone 2 price on your Oyster – saving you money. Another slightly longer example is between Archway Station and Highgate Station, the first being in Zone 2 and the second being in Zone 3. At under a mile, this 15 minute walk can save you up to £1 for a return journey…every little helps!
Keeping fit and saving money – what could be better than that?!
This theory can also be applied to travel cards. If you get a weekly Zone 1-2 travel card (£27.60) but want to travel outside of Zone 2, get off the tube at the end of the zone and use local buses to reach your final destination. With your travelcard you are entitled to unlimited bus travel, which does not fall into the zone system. Rather than paying the additional fare on top of your travelcard, this keeps everything within one weekly cost.